Get data off iPhone without iTunes sync or WiFi or cellular network?

I water-damaged my iPhone 4s.

Net result is that the phone powers up normally (mostly) when connected to a wall charger. I can see my old home screen, pictures, etc.

When connected to a computer for USB-charging, it shuts down soon after the Apple logo pops up.

So connecting to a computer does not work. Unless there is a way to wall-charge and USB-sync at the same time?

WiFi does not work. The WiFi settings slider is greyed out.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4859
iCloud automatically backs up the most important data on your device running iOS 5 or later. It will run on a daily basis as long as your device:

• is connected to Internet over Wi-Fi
• is connected to a power source
• has the screen locked

Apparently you cannot do an iCloud backup over mobile data, so that is out as well.

Just called Sprint... cannot activate the phone without either syncing or with WiFi. So out of luck for the cell connection too?

So, the question is, is there any way for me to do an iCloud backup of this iPhone?

Is there a way for me to manually back up things like pictures without WiFi or iTunes sync or the cellular connection?

Solution 1:

So if I understand it correctly, it's not available in your LAN, cannot directly connect to a computer using USB, is unable to make a bluetooth connection and cannot connect via the cellular network either? Is there any interface that is working, other than the touchscreen?

Do you have any experience with opening up iPhones? It is not particularly difficult if you're careful and precise, and excellent guides can be found on ifixit.com. If you have another iPhone available (that is no longer under waranty, as opening it up voids that), you could consider 'borrowing' one of the interfaces from the other phone. If you have the parts available, I recommend attempting to replace the WiFi antenna.

Alternatively, you could attempt to insert another battery and hope it lives off the donor long enough to connect via usb without needing the wall charge.

Either way, as you say it's water damage, it could do wonders to open it up and let it dry or acitvely dry it yourself - bowls of rice have done miracles. This strongly depends on how long it's been since bathing time.

Solution 2:

In case you're mostly concerned about your pictures and videos, Dropbox's Camera Upload feature might be able to help, since you can upload on 3G too as far as I know.

In case you have other things you want to export it will be harder since most of the time 3rd party applications won't have access to them (e.g. settings, music, contacts - although contacts are iCloud synced on 3G too).

Solution 3:

I just re-read your original question, so apologies for being redundant about the USB power.

However, your question does imply that you had it repaired somewhere. If so, could they not remove the storage and salvage it?

If you have not taken it anywhere, I really really suggest you contact someone like ubreakifix. There are other repair shops, but they have restored my phones and/or data on at least 4 times (twice for water). They also can help over the phone - a bit.